Hello EadG,

Sounds like the brushes are making marginal contact - giving you your 'startup' troubles... At least if the things spins, while drawing appropriate amperage, the armature is OK. Couldn't kill ya to lube the bearings, but this is probably not your problem.

For what it's worth - have rebuilt mine myself - quite easy to do. Got some pigtail brushes at Sears - had to do a little grinding to get them to the correct cross-sectional dimensions - again easy. Then, a little soldering of contacts, and it's been working for years now. I'm sure you could find the correct brush stock on line with a little searching.

Lemme know.

Lou